ORLANDO, Florida (Ticker) -- Tracy McGrady ignored a strained
right quadriceps to score 12 of his 34 points in the fourth
quarter as the Orlando Magic clinched a playoff spot with a
108-101 victory over the Boston Celtics.

With his status in doubt until tip-off, McGrady picked up the
slack in the absence of Darrell Armstrong, who went on the
injured list with a strained groin. He took over the game in the
final period, helping Orlando (41-34) erase an 81-77 deficit and
match last season's win total.

Armstrong had played in 206 consecutive games, including 160
starts -- both club records.

"I'm going to be OK and I'm not going to let anything stop me
from going right now," McGrady said. "I'd love to rest, It all
depends what Doc (Orlando coach Doc Rivers) thinks about it. We
need to finish strong and Darrell needs to rest."

"I have an announcement to make," Rivers said. "Playoff tickets
go on sale April 11. This was nice. It was a big win for us,
especially losing Darrell Armstrong and not knowing if Tracy was
going to be able to play."

Bo Outlaw added 21 points and John Amaechi 16 for the Magic, who
outscored the Celtics in the final period, 31-20.

Orlando has a chance to improve its playoff position. It is just
one game behind Charlotte and Toronto, who are tied for fifth in
the Eastern Conference.

"The easy part is over with," McGrady said. "We've just got to
continue to end the season strong and get ready for the
playoffs."

It was a critical defeat for Boston, which dropped one-half game
behind idle Indiana in the battle for the final playoff spot in
the Eastern Conference.

Antoine Walker scored 24 points and Paul Pierce 17 for Boston,
which has lost three of its last four contests.

"McGrady definitely put them on his shoulders," Pierce said. "He
is a tough player and made some tough shots and passes down the
stretch. They really rallied around him."

"He (McGrady) looked like he was going to die before the game,"
Orlando forward Pat Garrity added. "He really looked tired. He
really turned it on in the fourth quarter. He hit some awesome
shots."

Despite being without Armstrong, their second-leading scorer,
the Magic played nearly flawless on offense, shooting 54 percent
(43-of-80) from the field and picking up 29 assists.

Troy Hudson, who replaced Armstrong in the starting lineup,
handed out a season-high 13 assists, while McGrady dished out a
career-high 11. Orlando also converted 21 Boston turnovers into
22 points.

The Magic returned home after completing a 2-2 road with a 94-82
loss in New York on Tuesday.

"Shooting 54 percent when you get in from a road trip at 3 a.m.
is pretty impressive," Rivers said.

"We didn't play the defense we needed to play," Pierce added.
"We gave them too many opportunities. That was the game right
there."

The contest was close throughout with 26 lead chances and 19
ties. Boston pulled even for the final time, 85-85, on Pierce's
two foul shots with 7:14 left.

But Pierce missed four critical free throws in the fourth
quarter -- Boston was just 19-of-28 from the line -- and Garrity
drilled a 3-pointer with 6:41 to go to give the Magic the lead
for good.

"They played an outstanding game," Boston coach Jim O'Brien
said. "It's great for their franchise and I want to congratulate
them on making the playoffs."

McGrady hit two straight baskets and 1-of-2 from the line to
make it 93-85 with 5:25 remaining. Boston closed to 93-89 on
Bryant Stith's layup but Garrity, who scored 14 points, answered
with a 3-pointer.

Orlando stretched its advantage to 102-93 on McGrady's jumper
with 1:51 to play before the Magic took their largest lead,
108-98, on McGrady's foul shot with 18 seconds left.